Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Lessons, Week 65
EN agreed to teach me how to play all of the Marques Bovre & SoDangYang tunes. Then it will be up to me to decide whether to audition for the spot he's vacating in August...and up to them if they want me. So we went over a few. More to come.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
CJ, 5/19/10 High Noon Saloon
Crackity Jones played its second gig last night at High Noon Saloon. We started playing together as a 4 piece on March 24th...had our first gig with 15 tunes on April 24th...and our second gig with 22 tunes on May 19th. I'd say that's the most dense ramp up I've ever been party to. Whenever possible, we've been practicing 2-3 times per week...though there have been several weeks where we've only managed one rehearsal...or only a rehearsal with a portion of the players.
I wasn't sure what to expect last night. Our opening act had been a pain to book...we couldn't find a band to do it. Kind of at the last minute The Sesters accepted the slot...only to have tragedy strike the day before the show and to have their drummer have to bail. Amazingly they found a sub and played as planned. They were really good too.
By the time they got done there were a couple of dozen people in the hall and I was resigning myself to that turnout when we took the stage. By night's end, though, I had heard that 47 or so people had paid the cover. In a venue that holds something like 400, this is not a ton of people, but it is a good turnout for a happy hour show. I was pleased with the turnout. We charge $4 cover and we took away $17 per person...or $136...after the door and sound guys had been paid.
The set went pretty well with no huge mistakes. I don't recall too much going wrong for me. The mic was really hot and the monitors were good, so I had very little problem singing harmony.
I ate lunch, but not dinner. Arrived for load in at 5pm. Had 2 PBRs before the show. Had a Jager during the show and 3 more beers AFTER the show. Ran the bass through my amp, but also DI'ed it via a DI box they provided. I thought the bass sounded good, but no idea how it sounded in the house. Ditto that for vocals. I wore a UCLA t-shirt like Deal wore at the 5/1/88 London Pixie's show, jeans, and my canvas Keen's. Also wore a black wig, which worked out ok but I probably won't do that again just cause it's cheesy. It was funny...but it won't be funny again for some time.
About half way through the show I looked out and had the feeling like the room was pretty full. People were standing up by the stage and dancing. During Chet's solo some dude was head banging up by the front of the stage. People cheered when Gigantic and Here Comes Your Man started. By the time we hit the last song, Where Is My Mind...people were actually fucking singing along. I've never had that happen before. It was bizarre. People were actually not just there because they were our friends and were trying to be nice. People were actually there to hear the music and they were going nuts over it. After the show I/we got lots of compliments. The gal that books Mickey's came to the show and talked to us about a gig in June. We couldn't do any of the dates she had, so she said she'd open an extra date just for us because it was THAT important to her that we play.
It really was a most remarkable experience. I understand now why people play popular songs in lame cover bands. That's what the people want. In our case at least we're working with a more refined musical demographic...but it is a similar situation. People love what they know. I worry, of course, that they just love the songs and not the way that we play them...but it was undeniable that people seemed pleased with our portrayal.
It's nice to be on a winning team. It happens so infrequently in my life.
Setlist:
Bone Machine
Break My Body
Brick Is Red
Broken Face
Cactus
Caribou
Ed Is Dead
Gigantic
Here Comes Your Man
Holiday Song
I'm Amazed
Isla De Encanta
I've Been Tired
Nimrod's Son
Oh My Golly!
River Euphrates
Something Against You
Tony's Theme
Vamos
Wave of Mutilation
Where Is My Mind?
Encore (by popular demand): Levitate Me
This entire show is now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Crackity+Jones+High+Noon+Saloon&aq=f
I wasn't sure what to expect last night. Our opening act had been a pain to book...we couldn't find a band to do it. Kind of at the last minute The Sesters accepted the slot...only to have tragedy strike the day before the show and to have their drummer have to bail. Amazingly they found a sub and played as planned. They were really good too.
By the time they got done there were a couple of dozen people in the hall and I was resigning myself to that turnout when we took the stage. By night's end, though, I had heard that 47 or so people had paid the cover. In a venue that holds something like 400, this is not a ton of people, but it is a good turnout for a happy hour show. I was pleased with the turnout. We charge $4 cover and we took away $17 per person...or $136...after the door and sound guys had been paid.
The set went pretty well with no huge mistakes. I don't recall too much going wrong for me. The mic was really hot and the monitors were good, so I had very little problem singing harmony.
I ate lunch, but not dinner. Arrived for load in at 5pm. Had 2 PBRs before the show. Had a Jager during the show and 3 more beers AFTER the show. Ran the bass through my amp, but also DI'ed it via a DI box they provided. I thought the bass sounded good, but no idea how it sounded in the house. Ditto that for vocals. I wore a UCLA t-shirt like Deal wore at the 5/1/88 London Pixie's show, jeans, and my canvas Keen's. Also wore a black wig, which worked out ok but I probably won't do that again just cause it's cheesy. It was funny...but it won't be funny again for some time.
About half way through the show I looked out and had the feeling like the room was pretty full. People were standing up by the stage and dancing. During Chet's solo some dude was head banging up by the front of the stage. People cheered when Gigantic and Here Comes Your Man started. By the time we hit the last song, Where Is My Mind...people were actually fucking singing along. I've never had that happen before. It was bizarre. People were actually not just there because they were our friends and were trying to be nice. People were actually there to hear the music and they were going nuts over it. After the show I/we got lots of compliments. The gal that books Mickey's came to the show and talked to us about a gig in June. We couldn't do any of the dates she had, so she said she'd open an extra date just for us because it was THAT important to her that we play.
It really was a most remarkable experience. I understand now why people play popular songs in lame cover bands. That's what the people want. In our case at least we're working with a more refined musical demographic...but it is a similar situation. People love what they know. I worry, of course, that they just love the songs and not the way that we play them...but it was undeniable that people seemed pleased with our portrayal.
It's nice to be on a winning team. It happens so infrequently in my life.
Setlist:
Bone Machine
Break My Body
Brick Is Red
Broken Face
Cactus
Caribou
Ed Is Dead
Gigantic
Here Comes Your Man
Holiday Song
I'm Amazed
Isla De Encanta
I've Been Tired
Nimrod's Son
Oh My Golly!
River Euphrates
Something Against You
Tony's Theme
Vamos
Wave of Mutilation
Where Is My Mind?
Encore (by popular demand): Levitate Me
This entire show is now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Crackity+Jones+High+Noon+Saloon&aq=f
Bands, Bands, Bands
I got four bands going at the moment...
#1 punk covers, well established, plays out once a month, I play drums
#2 just getting started (but with a bang and already 2 shows in a month) tribute band, I play bass
#3 also just getting started, first show June 19th, rock covers, I play drums
#4 on-again-off-again folksy/bluesy/jammy ensemble in which I play drums. We're playing for friends this weekend and a low key benefit June 5th
You'd think this would be enough, but I'm still looking around a bit. I have word in to a Pogues/Kissers type originals band to play bass (though I think they'd rather I play drums) and to NM's side project to play bass. Also thinking about auditioning for a more upscale group on drums. Waiting to get some advice on that before I go for it though.
At the moment I'm having the most fun with the tribute band. Comparatively speaking, the bass...at least when I'm playing parts someone else wrote and that I can find tab for...feels easier than the drums. Less exposed too. Vocal harmonies are hard for me, but I'm working through that and it is a limited portion of the gig.
I'd like to play bass in another group to expand my understanding of the instrument.
I still consider drums my primary instrument, but it is also hard work. I think I may be avoiding it a little bit.
Why am I still looking for other projects? I'm not sure. I think it is because I'm in the position to do so. And also because most of my groups are at a place where we have our basic set lists down pretty well. I may be looking for new experiences. But I don't really know why I'm still looking. Maybe because I don't want to miss out on "the big chance" at something really great.
#1 punk covers, well established, plays out once a month, I play drums
#2 just getting started (but with a bang and already 2 shows in a month) tribute band, I play bass
#3 also just getting started, first show June 19th, rock covers, I play drums
#4 on-again-off-again folksy/bluesy/jammy ensemble in which I play drums. We're playing for friends this weekend and a low key benefit June 5th
You'd think this would be enough, but I'm still looking around a bit. I have word in to a Pogues/Kissers type originals band to play bass (though I think they'd rather I play drums) and to NM's side project to play bass. Also thinking about auditioning for a more upscale group on drums. Waiting to get some advice on that before I go for it though.
At the moment I'm having the most fun with the tribute band. Comparatively speaking, the bass...at least when I'm playing parts someone else wrote and that I can find tab for...feels easier than the drums. Less exposed too. Vocal harmonies are hard for me, but I'm working through that and it is a limited portion of the gig.
I'd like to play bass in another group to expand my understanding of the instrument.
I still consider drums my primary instrument, but it is also hard work. I think I may be avoiding it a little bit.
Why am I still looking for other projects? I'm not sure. I think it is because I'm in the position to do so. And also because most of my groups are at a place where we have our basic set lists down pretty well. I may be looking for new experiences. But I don't really know why I'm still looking. Maybe because I don't want to miss out on "the big chance" at something really great.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Rearviewmirror Part 2
It's a sign that you're too busy when you start forgetting things. Last night when the band decided to play Rearviewmirror I realized that I had completely forgotten that we were doing this song, and as such hadn't been working on it. So, yeah, better get on that. Luckily, it isn't too hard.
Lessons, Week 63
Went over some Weather Report stuff...and some funk.
EN informed me that he's leaving Madison in August. His girlfriend got a job out east.
So I'll soon find myself at a cross roads on the lessons front. The choice being to start up with a new instructor or to take some time off. There are other good folks at Madison Music Foundry to take up with...but I am leaning towards time off. As it is I feel like I don't "practice" enough anymore. I've got over a year of lessons under my belt and I haven't REALLY worked on any of the concepts presented in that time. There's a pile of instructional books sitting unused. The best use of my time would undoubtably be to spend 30-60 minutes a week working on those things. Of course, that's the rub. Self discipline is harder than just showing up to a lesson once a week and having someone crack the whip on you.
My purpose in starting lessons this most recent go around was three fold...to improve my skills, get "serious" about drums, and to get an outside assessment of my skill level. It succeeded in all of that, but more importantly, it succeeded in helping me get my mojo back after the crushing blow to my ego that getting booted from SPB handed me. In retrospect, leaving that band was the best possible thing that could have happened for my drumming, because it pushed me to work harder and freed me to explore other genres and styles...and got me playing with other people. It's been almost two years now since I left SPB and about a year and a half since I started lessons. But I feel like I've made five or more years worth of progress...both in skills and in attitude.
I'll admit that the lessons have gotten routine, though, and that I'm not trying as hard as I did at the start. I'm not pushing myself and I'm not practicing really at all. In large part it's just recent circumstances causing the lull...too many bands, too many trips out of town...not enough time in the day. But the craziness of learning new set lists for two new bands is nearly over and the travelling season will be done soon too. Time to return to the woodshed and make sure that I don't start taking things for granted and getting sloppy. Bass has been a pleasant diversion, and I'll continue with that, but drums are still the primary instrument. And there's so much more improvement to be had. Getting back to practicing an hour or two a day would be a great goal...or at least to get that done 3-4 times a week.
It's been a good chapter, this time with EN, but I think my adventure with drum lessons may be ending for a while. I'm sure I'll return to them, but it's a good time to stop and take stock of where I'm at and what I'm trying to accomplish, and to rededicate myself to my own personal practice.
EN informed me that he's leaving Madison in August. His girlfriend got a job out east.
So I'll soon find myself at a cross roads on the lessons front. The choice being to start up with a new instructor or to take some time off. There are other good folks at Madison Music Foundry to take up with...but I am leaning towards time off. As it is I feel like I don't "practice" enough anymore. I've got over a year of lessons under my belt and I haven't REALLY worked on any of the concepts presented in that time. There's a pile of instructional books sitting unused. The best use of my time would undoubtably be to spend 30-60 minutes a week working on those things. Of course, that's the rub. Self discipline is harder than just showing up to a lesson once a week and having someone crack the whip on you.
My purpose in starting lessons this most recent go around was three fold...to improve my skills, get "serious" about drums, and to get an outside assessment of my skill level. It succeeded in all of that, but more importantly, it succeeded in helping me get my mojo back after the crushing blow to my ego that getting booted from SPB handed me. In retrospect, leaving that band was the best possible thing that could have happened for my drumming, because it pushed me to work harder and freed me to explore other genres and styles...and got me playing with other people. It's been almost two years now since I left SPB and about a year and a half since I started lessons. But I feel like I've made five or more years worth of progress...both in skills and in attitude.
I'll admit that the lessons have gotten routine, though, and that I'm not trying as hard as I did at the start. I'm not pushing myself and I'm not practicing really at all. In large part it's just recent circumstances causing the lull...too many bands, too many trips out of town...not enough time in the day. But the craziness of learning new set lists for two new bands is nearly over and the travelling season will be done soon too. Time to return to the woodshed and make sure that I don't start taking things for granted and getting sloppy. Bass has been a pleasant diversion, and I'll continue with that, but drums are still the primary instrument. And there's so much more improvement to be had. Getting back to practicing an hour or two a day would be a great goal...or at least to get that done 3-4 times a week.
It's been a good chapter, this time with EN, but I think my adventure with drum lessons may be ending for a while. I'm sure I'll return to them, but it's a good time to stop and take stock of where I'm at and what I'm trying to accomplish, and to rededicate myself to my own personal practice.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Success: Floor Tom to Bass Conversion
I have a self-esteem problem. I nearly always fear I'm incompetent. Or, more accurately, I fear that OTHERS think I'm incompentent. Ironically, in most things, I'm actually pretty well skilled. I can do just about anything that I set my mind to...really. And without much effort. I'm not GREAT at everything...but I can get things done. "Jack of all trades, master of none" kind of thing.
But sometimes I surprise even myself. Sometimes I'm kind of fucking brilliant.
So I've been mulling the floor tom to bass conversion question. Did research yesterday online and was shocked to see no DIY solutions that don't involve buying a conversion kit (note to those kids...buying a conversion kit is NOT a DIY solution...so stop posting it as such). Took five minutes on Monday night to take a look at my drum and pedal...using a pillow to test height and such. Spent five minutes yesterday doing some drawings. Got home around 6pm last night and headed to the garage to see what supplies I had. I emerged about an hour later, and only two lumber cuts, with a working conversion. It doesn't look bad either. In my usual style, I threw it together with nearly no measurements taken and haphazard sawing, drilling, and screwing.
Here it is in all its glory (complete set of detailed photos here):
The specs (in retrospect):
Two 17" x 3.5" x 0.75" boards
One 15.5" x 3.5" x 0.75" board
Two 15.5" x 4" x 4" cedar posts
Assembly: all screws, some toed and some straight screwed. I forget the length, 1 and 5/8 inch I think. I pre-drilled all the screw holes.
Total finished weight: about 5 pounds
As planned, I put this together with my 16" x 16" floor tom. I took the legs off. The hardware that holds the legs on rests on the top of the board on either side. The third leg holder can face top or bottom, but I built it with it on top, so not sure if it fits as well the opposite way. There's 7 screws across the front holding the board into the post. Each leg has 2 screws holding them to post (I put 3 on one leg but figured out quickly that this didn't work because of the angles). Each board is held to the other boards with 2 screws.
There was some luck or divine intervention involved here. Just about a week ago a delivery of 4x4 cedar posts arrived to my house intended for fire wood. They were cut to different lengths. There were two...just two...that were exactly the right size for this project. The other boards I had laying around. The front one too was exactly the right length and didn't need cutting. Only the two side boards needed cutting and I happened to have a board that was just the right length (plus a few inches) to provide both sides when cut. Quite remarkable really. And a good thing too, because my circular saw is dying and barely made the two cuts I needed.
But sometimes I surprise even myself. Sometimes I'm kind of fucking brilliant.
So I've been mulling the floor tom to bass conversion question. Did research yesterday online and was shocked to see no DIY solutions that don't involve buying a conversion kit (note to those kids...buying a conversion kit is NOT a DIY solution...so stop posting it as such). Took five minutes on Monday night to take a look at my drum and pedal...using a pillow to test height and such. Spent five minutes yesterday doing some drawings. Got home around 6pm last night and headed to the garage to see what supplies I had. I emerged about an hour later, and only two lumber cuts, with a working conversion. It doesn't look bad either. In my usual style, I threw it together with nearly no measurements taken and haphazard sawing, drilling, and screwing.
Here it is in all its glory (complete set of detailed photos here):
The specs (in retrospect):
Two 17" x 3.5" x 0.75" boards
One 15.5" x 3.5" x 0.75" board
Two 15.5" x 4" x 4" cedar posts
Assembly: all screws, some toed and some straight screwed. I forget the length, 1 and 5/8 inch I think. I pre-drilled all the screw holes.
Total finished weight: about 5 pounds
As planned, I put this together with my 16" x 16" floor tom. I took the legs off. The hardware that holds the legs on rests on the top of the board on either side. The third leg holder can face top or bottom, but I built it with it on top, so not sure if it fits as well the opposite way. There's 7 screws across the front holding the board into the post. Each leg has 2 screws holding them to post (I put 3 on one leg but figured out quickly that this didn't work because of the angles). Each board is held to the other boards with 2 screws.
There was some luck or divine intervention involved here. Just about a week ago a delivery of 4x4 cedar posts arrived to my house intended for fire wood. They were cut to different lengths. There were two...just two...that were exactly the right size for this project. The other boards I had laying around. The front one too was exactly the right length and didn't need cutting. Only the two side boards needed cutting and I happened to have a board that was just the right length (plus a few inches) to provide both sides when cut. Quite remarkable really. And a good thing too, because my circular saw is dying and barely made the two cuts I needed.
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